US Men’s National Team Prepares for Turkey Match

LOS ANGELES — Every athlete dreams of stepping onto the field, and every coach aims for victory. It’s pretty straightforward, right? Yet, sometimes, you have to protect your players from themselves. This seems to be the situation for the U.S. men’s national team ahead of their game against Turkey on Thursday.

There’s considerable pressure on one person to ensure the U.S. remains competitive as the finals approach on July 1st. That’s why head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s choice to bench Chris Richards, Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, and Anthony Robinson isn’t just a cautious move—it’s a matter of common sense.

Pochettino didn’t outright say these players would sit out Thursday’s game, but with the U.S. already securing first place in Group D, the focus now shifts to maintaining momentum, building up confidence, and making sure no one leaves Los Angeles with an injury.

It doesn’t make much sense to risk four starters who are already on yellow cards.

“For players holding yellow cards, my decision is pretty straightforward,” Pochettino shared during Wednesday’s pre-match press conference. “There’s no point in risking another yellow and missing out on the next round.”

According to World Cup rules, a player who accumulates two yellow cards during group matches faces an automatic one-match ban. If any of those four players receive another yellow card against Turkey, they’ll find themselves sidelined for the crucial Round of 32.

Understandably, the players have mixed feelings about Pochettino’s decision.

Balogun, who has netted two goals, remains a contender for the Golden Boot as the top scorer of the tournament. Adams plays a crucial role as a midfield leader. Meanwhile, Richards and Robinson form the backbone of the defense.

“I want to be on the field,” Adams expressed. “Every match at the World Cup is special, and I can’t take any of them for granted. Who knows when I’ll get this chance again? I just hope I avoid a yellow card.”

Adams even suggested he could navigate the situation carefully.

You know, “You have to be smart in these situations,” he said. “We managed just fine in the last game, and I believe we can do it again.”

However, Pochettino disagreed with that perspective.

“What happens if you feel you’re pivotal to the team and get an unjust yellow card?” he questioned. “How do you plan to approach the game? I need players who can play with freedom, with the determination to treat every match like a final.”

This philosophy highlights the tightrope any World Cup coach must walk.

Players avoiding yellow cards can become overly cautious, second-guessing tackles and pressing less. That’s not the approach Pochettino wants as the team aims to refine their performance ahead of the finals.

Pochettino expanded on his reasoning, noting his considerations go beyond merely avoiding yellow cards. He’s also evaluating injuries, the intense demands of a 10-month club season in Europe, as well as the players’ ages and recovery statuses.

While he emphasized the importance of winning on Thursday, Pochettino clarified that the ultimate aim is not just to secure all nine points in the group but also to head into Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on July 1 fully equipped.